Since 2011, we have recognized some of the driving forces in the television and film industry – hands-on leaders with a body of work that has made a lasting impression. The Lifetime Achievement presentation is a highpoint of the annual awards ceremony. The 2020 recipient will be honored at the Awards Gala held on April 21.

2019 – CONNOR SCHELL

Connor Schell, Executive Vice President, Content, ESPN is the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Recipient. Connor is responsible for overseeing all aspects of ESPN’s content creation across television, digital and print platforms. ESPN Films’ prestigious 30 for 30 documentary brand marks its 10th anniversary this year, and Connor launched that brand (along with Bill Simmons) back in 2009. Schell is the executive producer and co-creator of the Emmy-, Oscar- and Peabody Award-winning 30 for 30 documentary series and the Emmy-winning 30 for 30 Shorts digital series. Schell also served as a producer and executive producer of the company’s first Academy Award-winning film “O.J.: Made in America.”

2011 – ALBERT MAYSLES

Legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles received our inaugural Television & Film Lifetime Achievement Award. Called “the greatest American cameraman” by Jean-Luc Godard, Albert, along with his brother David (1932-1987), is recognized as a pioneer of direct cinema.

2012 – GEOFFEREY MASON

The 2012 recipient was Geoffrey Mason, one of sports television’s most accomplished executives, who has more than 40 years of domestic and international production experience, including seven Olympic Games, six World Cups, and multiple America’s Cup races. Mason has worked for ABC, NBC, Fox, ESPN, and NFL Network over five decades in the business, mentoring hundreds of co-workers along the way.

2013 – SUSAN ZIRINSKY

Susan Zirinsky, senior executive producer of the CBS News broadcast 48 HOURS, received the third Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to her work on 48 HOURS, now in its 25th full season, Zirinsky routinely is the Senior Executive Producer of breaking news specials events for CBS News and her extensive journalism career at CBS News has provided her with a front seat to some of the most iconic moments in TV news history.

2014 – DAVID MAZZA

David Mazza, Senior Vice President and CTO, NBC Sports Group, is the 2014 Lifetime Achievement recipient. Mazza’s technical work has spanned the worlds of sports, entertainment, and news. A veteran of thirteen Olympic Games, he and his team were instrumental in the building of NBC Sports Group’s new headquarters: a state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center.

2015 – KEN AAGAARD

Ken Aagaard, Executive Vice President, Operations, Engineering & Production Services, CBS Sports, is the 2015 Lifetime Achievement recipient. With a media career spanning over four decades, including 18 Super Bowls, five World Series, and three Olympics, Aagaard is one of sports television’s most respected broadcast executives.

2016 – DAVID HILL

Legendary veteran sports executive, live event specialist and Father of FOX Sports David Hill is the 2016 Lifetime Achievement recipient. The consummate innovator, Mr. Hill influenced the medium via expanded use of technology to enhance the at-home experience for sports television viewers. He also served as Senior Executive Vice President of 21st Century Fox, chairman of National Geographic Channels, was an executive producer at Fox for “American Idol” for the iconic show’s final three seasons and has been tapped to produce the 88th Academy Awards telecast.

2017 – TONY PETITTI

Tony Petitti, Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball, is the 2017 Lifetime Achievement recipient. Petitti served as President & Chief Executive Officer of MLB Network (MLBN), where he oversaw all day-to-day operations, until formally joining the Office of the Commissioner in 2014. The record-setting launch of MLBN, which debuted on January 1, 2009 in 50 million cable and satellite homes, marked the largest in cable television history. He also served as Executive Vice President and Executive Producer for CBS Sports, Senior Vice President, Negotiations for NBC Sports and as Vice President, Programming for ABC Sports.

2018 – GREG MACGILLIVRAY

Greg MacGillivray, Chairman/Director of MacGillivray Freeman Films, received the 2018 Lifetime Achievement. Greg has been producing and directing award-winning films for more than 40 years. He partnered with Jim Freeman to form MacGillivray Freeman Films in 1966. Since his first IMAX Theatre film “To Fly!” in 1976, Greg has produced some of the most enduring films in the giant-screen genre. He has shot more 70mm film than anyone in cinema history and is the first documentary filmmaker to reach the $1 billion benchmark in worldwide ticket sales. Greg has received two Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary Short Subject: “The Living Sea” in 1995 and “Dolphins” in 2000.